Wally Downes
Encyclopedia
Walter John "Wally" Downes (born 9 June 1961) is an English
former football
player and manager, he is currently a first team coach at West Ham United
He is the nephew of former world middleweight
boxing champion Terry Downes
.
and was their first ever full-time Football League apprentice. He is often cited as being the main instigator of the Crazy Gang
spirit at the club as it rose from the Fourth
to the First Division
inside a decade. In 1979, aged 17 he scored on his league debut against Barnsley
and went on to make over 200 appearances for Wimbledon, usually as a midfielder.
In 1988, he left to join his mentor and former Wimbledon manager Dave Bassett
at Sheffield United, but his career for his new club was severely limited by a number of serious injuries.
s he retired through injury. Downes took a coaching position at Crystal Palace
, and spent 12 years at Selhurst Park
, most of these under Steve Coppell
.
, where he became assistant manager. When Coppell left Brentford in June 2002, Downes was appointed manager. He led the club to 16th position in the Second Division
in 2002–03
, but was sacked in March 2004 after a run of poor results and the club near the bottom of the table and facing relegation.
, initially on a casual basis, but quickly proved himself invaluable, and took on the job of coaching Reading's defence. As a result, Downes was a major reason for Reading's impressive defensive display in the 2005–06
Championship
season, where Reading had the best defensive statistics in the entire English football pyramid
, and were promoted to the Premier League
with a record 106 points.
In January 2007, Downes was involved in a touchline scuffle with Sheffield United
manager Neil Warnock
after he accused Warnock of telling his players to 'break legs'. However Warnock said: "I made the kicking gesture to tell the referee that Steve Sidwell
's tackle on Chris Armstrong
had been the worst of the game. Fortunately for me, the referee heard exactly what was said and confirmed that." Downes has been charged with improper conduct for his role in the affray.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6283363.stm
On 14 May 2009, the club announced that they wouldn't renew his and Kevin Dillon's
contract after Reading failed to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt after getting knocked out of the play-offs by Burnley
3–0 on aggregate and the departure of Steve Coppell. This was officially announced on the day of Steve Coppell's press conference and was first seen in an article in the Daily Mail
saying he has been "sacked".
. He was dismissed along with Alan Pardew
on 30 August 2010.
side Gillingham. Then on 23 November 2010, Downes was appointed as a defensive coach at West Ham United under manager Avram Grant. His appointment came hours after the West Ham board sacked assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic
. In May 2011, shortly after West Ham were relegated from the Premier League, Grant was sacked however Downes kept his job and was named first team coach when new manager Sam Allardyce
took over.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player and manager, he is currently a first team coach at West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
He is the nephew of former world middleweight
Middleweight
Middleweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have begun in the 1840s. In the bare-knuckle era, the first middleweight championship fight was between Tom Chandler and Dooney Harris in 1897...
boxing champion Terry Downes
Terry Downes
Terry Downes is a retired British middleweight boxer. He was nicknamed the "Paddington Express" for his aggressive fighting style. As of 2008, Downes was Britain’s oldest surviving former world champion...
.
Playing career
Downes started out as an apprentice with WimbledonWimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
and was their first ever full-time Football League apprentice. He is often cited as being the main instigator of the Crazy Gang
Crazy Gang
The Crazy Gang is a nickname used by the English media to describe Wimbledon F.C. during the 1980s and the 1990s.The name, originally that of a well known group of British comedy entertainers popular in the late 1930s, was used because of the often eccentric and boisterously macho behaviour of...
spirit at the club as it rose from the Fourth
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
inside a decade. In 1979, aged 17 he scored on his league debut against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and went on to make over 200 appearances for Wimbledon, usually as a midfielder.
In 1988, he left to join his mentor and former Wimbledon manager Dave Bassett
Dave Bassett
David Bassett , also frequently known by his nickname of Harry, is an English football manager and a former player....
at Sheffield United, but his career for his new club was severely limited by a number of serious injuries.
Crystal Palace
Following four broken legBroken Leg
Broken Leg is an indie rock song written and recorded by Australian indie rock band Bluejuice. The song was voted no. 5 in the 2009 Triple J Hottest 100. The accompanying music video was voted in at no. 1 on Rage's RAGE FIFTY countdown that was voted for by viewers and shown on the last weekend of...
s he retired through injury. Downes took a coaching position at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, and spent 12 years at Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park is an English football stadium located in the London suburb of South Norwood in the Borough of Croydon. It is the current home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. Its present capacity is 26,309.-History:...
, most of these under Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
.
Brentford
Downes left Palace in 2000, following Coppell (who had left Palace following a takeover) to BrentfordBrentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, where he became assistant manager. When Coppell left Brentford in June 2002, Downes was appointed manager. He led the club to 16th position in the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 2002–03
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
, but was sacked in March 2004 after a run of poor results and the club near the bottom of the table and facing relegation.
Reading
Downes then once again rejoined Coppell, this time at ReadingReading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, initially on a casual basis, but quickly proved himself invaluable, and took on the job of coaching Reading's defence. As a result, Downes was a major reason for Reading's impressive defensive display in the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
season, where Reading had the best defensive statistics in the entire English football pyramid
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
, and were promoted to the Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
with a record 106 points.
In January 2007, Downes was involved in a touchline scuffle with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
manager Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
after he accused Warnock of telling his players to 'break legs'. However Warnock said: "I made the kicking gesture to tell the referee that Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:...
's tackle on Chris Armstrong
Chris Armstrong (footballer born 1982)
Christopher "Chris" Armstrong is a retired professional footballer, who most recently played for Reading in the Football League Championship.He retired due to being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis...
had been the worst of the game. Fortunately for me, the referee heard exactly what was said and confirmed that." Downes has been charged with improper conduct for his role in the affray.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6283363.stm
On 14 May 2009, the club announced that they wouldn't renew his and Kevin Dillon's
Kevin Dillon (footballer)
Kevin Paul Dillon is an English former professional footballer born in Sunderland. He played in the Football League for Birmingham City, Portsmouth, Newcastle United and Reading, and was capped once for England under-21...
contract after Reading failed to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt after getting knocked out of the play-offs by Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
3–0 on aggregate and the departure of Steve Coppell. This was officially announced on the day of Steve Coppell's press conference and was first seen in an article in the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
saying he has been "sacked".
Southampton
On 7 September 2009, Downes was appointed to a position within the backroom staff of League 1 club, SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. He was dismissed along with Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew
Alan Scott Pardew is an English football manager and former player, currently the manager of Newcastle United....
on 30 August 2010.
West Ham United
For a few weeks in October and November 2010 Downes was hired as a part-time defensive coach for League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Gillingham. Then on 23 November 2010, Downes was appointed as a defensive coach at West Ham United under manager Avram Grant. His appointment came hours after the West Ham board sacked assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic
Željko Petrovic
Željko Petrović is a retired Montenegrin footballer and was the technical coach of Feyenoord Rotterdam in the 2004/2005 season.-Club career:...
. In May 2011, shortly after West Ham were relegated from the Premier League, Grant was sacked however Downes kept his job and was named first team coach when new manager Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
took over.
External links
- Wally Downes profile at the League Managers AssociationLeague Managers AssociationThe League Managers Association is the organisation which collectively represents all Premiership and Football League managers in English football...
web site